Winter Build Off 2019 - SB Bass VI

Because the Bass VI conversion neck from another project has been donated, I am going to build myself a real neck (and attach it to a body).

1. SG body made of walnut
2. bolt on 30" scale, snakehead headstock
3. two humbuckers in a typical Gibby format

I am going to try to get the bodies for both of my builds out of the same piece of walnut (2" x 12" x 60"). Once the templates are made, I'll see what can be done. I will still have to post a pile of wood picture for the neck blank and fingerboard.

Here's the POW pic for the body

 

I made the template and now need advice on making the body blanks for this and my other build.

The question and pictures are in the other thread here.

 

The body construction question is resolved. This body will have a single join down the centre line. I'm busy on a household project for the weekend, so you won't see progress for a few days.

Now the next question...
I will be left with a solid piece of walnut 5" x 2" x 40". Should I...

1. split it to 5 x 1 and use one piece to make a neck with a fingerboard from a separate piece?
2. make a one piece neck with a skunk stripe?
3. save it for a future body and make a 2 piece neck from other lumber?
4. other options?

 

I've decided on option 1 because I can get at least two necks from that piece. I've made the neck template and will post pictures in a couple of days,

Now I need to start on the half blind dovetails for the drawers for the... sorry, that's for the project getting in the way of my two builds.

 

I managed to make some progress on this before being redirected to projects of spousal choosing.

Neck plank and fingerboard are cut. Neck template is made. Fret spacing sheet is glued on to the FB.

The two pieces for the body are cut, jointed and planed, but not glued yet. I may still devise some chambering because the walnut is HEAVY.

SG Bass VI Neck Lumber by 2groggy posted Jan 5, 2019 at 2:51 PM

SG Bass Vi Body Lumber by 2groggy posted Jan 5, 2019 at 2:50 PM

 

Actually @Beej, I had already flipped the slab on the right over and re-drawn the outline before your post - I wanted to avoid a void The better pattern of the flame is a bonus. I'm going to wait on getting the neck done before laying out exactly where I want and don't want to chamber before gluing and cutting.

I rough cut the neck shape, and slotted the ash fingerboard. I have some 1/8" purpleheart from my dad's old hobby supplies, so I cut a bunch of plugs for the FB dots. They are glued in place. I will radius the FB in the next day or so.

 

Neck outline routed.

ash fingerboard with fret slots and purpleheart dots, all radius to 12".

I just realized that I didn't take a "piece of wood" picture of the surplus piece of ash tongue and groove floorboard. I have several similar pieces. Shall I fake the POW shot, just like the moon landing?

30_scale_21fret_snakehead by 2groggy posted Jan 8, 2019 at 9:45 PM

Edit - BTW, In what order to I assemble this neck? I'm guessing...
1) rout truss rod slot
2) insert truss rod and glue up finger board
3) rout edges of FB to neck
4) cut down headstock to thickness
5) shape back
6) frets
7) finish
As always, I will flagrantly steal better ideas.

 

I crossed the first two of the above steps off of the list

TrussRodSlot by 2groggy posted Jan 11, 2019 at 9:36 PM

Forgive the lack of a clamp-porn picture, but I only used eight clamps, and that leaves me that sinking feeling of inadequacy that one gets if they unroll a condom to its' full length.

 

Is there an award for the last entry to glue up the body blank? Business travel and other projects have been slamming me for the last few weeks.
I took a few minutes before dinner to hog out a few cavities to lighten up the body and glue it up, only to have Ellert1 (spouse of 2groggy) sneak into the man-cave and exclaim "You aren't even working on the drawers!?!". BUSTED... So it seems that the SG Bass VI is back on the back burner. I'm giving gNat's Bass VI Toby higher priority, though.

SG Bass VI Blank Glued by 2groggy posted Feb 8, 2019 at 8:34 PM

 

This build stalled because I concentrated my efforts on a different bass VI build for my daughter. When I got back to it, I found the neck bowed so badly that the truss rod couldn't straighten it. I'll probably finish it off with a pre-built Bass VI conversion neck that I currently have on a really cheap S-type.

BTW, since the last picture, I cut and routed the outline. I had a bad bit of tear-out that I had to plug.

It's been eight months. The glue should be dry by now.

 

Just checking inventory in advance of the 2020 Special Edition Build Off...

SG Bass VI Inventory by 2groggy posted Mar 24, 2020 at 9:23 PM

I have everything except a fingerboard blank. I'll have to dive in to my late dad's model building supplies to see what I can find. Failing that, we have some extra ash flooring that I can plane down.

I might even have some matching walnut for the neck, allowing me to save the flamed maple.

I'll need to disassemble the original badly bowed neck that had to rescue the truss rod.

I'm ready to go.